I chose to go to the Detroit Institute of Arts for my museum trip. Some of the floors were closed due to renovations, and some of the artwork was unavailable to be viewed. I had really hoped to be able to see a wide variety of art, and although I did see quite a bit, it wasn't quite the full experience. I took some time and wandered through what was available, and there were really two paintings that stood out.
The first painting I enjoyed was done by a man named Jacob Isaaksz van Ruisdael; the work was titled "The Jewish Cemetery." The subject of the painting stuck me like the grim reality of death. The striking visual effect of the painting is created through the use of texture, value, and color. Short straight lines used in a diagonal way comprise most of the visible brush strokes. There are a lot of organic shapes in the painting, and the very geometric shapes of the building and the tombs in the piece oppose them. A large tree dominates the picture on the right, and some enormous clouds enhance the natural feel of the piece. I felt that the overwhelming feeling of death was balanced out by the shot of light and the burst of the rainbow in the clouds. Imagery such as this leaves me with the feeling that death is a dark and ominous thing, but that it is somehow an ok thing. The geometric shapes in the painting stand out but somehow are downplayed by the strong use of natural surroundings. The Tomb in the lower middle stands out particularly well because it is highlighted. The texture displayed in this piece is simulated. However, the feeling of soft clouds and the rigid nature of the trees gives this painting a feel natural, realistic feeling. This false sense of texture breaks the cold, smoothness of the tombs, and the dilapidated building in the background. Value is given with the strong sense of light that shines on the clouds and the buildings as well. Keeping with the feeling of opposition the burst of light is contradicted by the remainder of the painting keeping a fairly gloomy and eerie feeling.
